Microfilm holder

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates generally to microfiche types of microfilm strip holders and more particularly to microfilm strip holders adapted for use in a fanning type magnetic file tray system. An embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings comprises front and rear rectangular panels of transparent and flexible synthetic plastic material, commonly referred to as a microfiche master, which provides a plurality of horizontal pockets for receiving microfilm strips. At least one of these pockets has mounted therein a magnetic strip, the opposite extremities of which terminate adjacent the vertical edge portions of the microfiche master or holder in position for cooperation with the magnets of a filing tray, to effect fanning apart of the upper margins of a predetermined group of holders.

United States Patent 1 DahLJr.

[ 1 June5,1973

[22] Filed:

l 5 MICROFILM HOLDER [76] Inventor: Ernest A. Dahl, Jr., 729 GreenwoodAvenue, Wilmette, [11.60091 Oct. 2, 1970 [21] Appl. No: 77,582

[52] U.S. CL. ..40/l05.5, 40/159 [51] Int. Cl G09f 7/10 [58] Field ofSearch ..40/159, 105.5

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3 238,655 3/1966 Engelstein..40/159 3,553,439 l/l97l Dorman 3,363,631 l/l968 Dahl, Jr....;..

2,722,936 11/1955 Mathiesen...

2,762,373 9/1956 Rosenberg ..40/l05.5

Primary Examiner--Robert W. Michell Assistant ExaminerJ. H. WolffAttorney-Olson, Trexler, Wolters & Bushnell [57] ABSTRACT The presentinvention relates generally to microfiche types of microfilm stripholders and more particularly to microfilm strip holders adapted for usein a fanning type magnetic file tray system. An embodiment of theinvention illustrated in the drawings comprises front and rearrectangular panels of transparent and flexible synthetic plasticmaterial, commonly referred to as a microfiche master, which provides aplurality of horizontal pockets for receiving microfilm strips. At leastone of these pockets has mounted therein a magnetic strip, the oppositeextremities of which terminate adjacent the vertical edge portions ofthe microfiche master or holder in position for cooperation with themagnets of a filing tray, to effect fanning apart of the upper marginsof a predetermined group of holders.

2 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUH 5 I975 3.736580 SHEET 3 BF 3 IMICROFILM HOLDER SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present inventioncontemplates the provision of a novel and practical microfiche type ofmicrofilm strip holder particularly adapted for use in a fanning magnetic filing tray system and to novel and practical methods ofproduction.

One of the problems incident to the manufacture of microfilm stripholders of the type adapted for use with magnet equipped filing trays isthat of associating magnetic strip material between the front and rearrectangular panels of the holder. It has heretofore been the practice inthe manufacture of such holders to longitudinally feed adhesivelytreated spacer strip material be tween transparent flexible syntheticplastic material fed from supply rolls. The present inventioncontemplates methods whereby magnetic strip material may be positionedbetween the synthetic plastic sheets contemporaneously with theassociation therewith of the abovementioned spacer strips.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide microfilmstrip holders of the type referred to above wherein the magnetic stripstock may be in the form of continuous strip material or in the form ofindividual magnetic strip sections positioned within oppositeextremities of a holder pocket.

The present invention also contemplates a microfilm strip holder as setforth above wherein the magnetic strip material may function as a panelspacer as well as means for effecting the fanning apart of the uppermargins of a predetermined group of holders.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS I The foregoing, and other objects andadvantages will be more apparent from the following detailed descriptionwhen considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a microfiche master or holder formicrofilm strips, the second pocket from the top of the holder. havingmagnetic strip means associated therewith;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical sectional view takensubstantially along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a group of microfilm holders as seen from the right of FIG. 1,the holders being mounted within a magnet equipped filing tray;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the right extremity of themicrofilm strip holder of FIG. 1, disclosing the manner in which amicrofilm strip, as well as applicant's magnetic strip, may be manuallyinserted within a holder pocket;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of a magnetic strip wherein theintermediate bottom portion is relatively narrow so as to function as aspacer strip, and integrally joins spaced magnetic plate members;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 of a modified form of a magneticstrip wherein said intermediate portion connects medial portions of themagnetic plate members;

FIG. 7 is a semidiagrammatic perspective view illustrating in generalthe manner in which magnetic strips contemplated by the presentinvention may be longitudinally fed from a supply roll thereof intosecured position between plastic sheet material;

FIG. s is a plan view illustrating the manner in which the panelmaterial and parts assembled therewith may be transversely severed;

FIG. 9 diagrammatically illustrates the manner in which transverseseverance illustrated in FIG. 8 may be accomplished;

FIG. w is a diagrannnatic illustration of the manner in which individualmagnetic strip sections may be fed in proper spaced relation and adheredto the inner surfaces ot the plastic sheet stock;

FIG. Ill is a fragmentary diagrammatic view in plan of the arrangementdisclosed in FIG. 10; and

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary plan view to illustrate the manner in which theplastic stock and parts associated therewith may be severed atpredetermined intervals.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings morein detail, wherein like numerals have been employed to designate similarparts throughout the various figures, it will be seen that a microfichemaster or microfilm holder of the present invention is designatedgenerally by the numeral 14. The microfilm strip holder 14 comprises afront rectangular panel 16 of transparent plastic material and asuperimposing rear transparent panel 18. Spacer strips 20 adhere to theinner surfaces of the panels or sheets 16 and I8, and cooperatetherewith to present a plurality of horizontally disposed pockets 22.The upper margins of the panels 16 and 18 are extended to provide atitle or other. identifying strip 24.

The pockets 22 are adapted to telescopically accommodate microfilmstrips 26. To facilitate initial insertion of the microfilm strips26,.the front panel 16 is provided with a series of slots 28. The secondpocket 22 from the top of the holder 14 accommodates a magnetic stripdesignated generally by the numeral 30 in a manner later to bedescribed. The strip 30 may be in the nature of an extremely thinmagnetic metal sheet. The magnetic strip 30 includes a pair of laterallyspaced plate sections 32 integrally joined by an intermediate narrowsection 34. The section 34 has a width similar to the width of thespacerstrips 20. Thus it will be apparent from FIG. 1 that when themagnetic strip 30 is properly mounted within the holder 14, the narrowintermediate portion 34 will function as a spacer strip for the panels16 and 18, similar to the previously mentioned elongate spacer strips20.

One of the distinct advantages of employing a magnetic strip having thestructural characteristics of the strip 30 is that it may be assembledwith the panel members 16 and I8 in the same manner as the spacer strips20 are assembled with the panels. FIG. 7 diagrammatically illustratesthe manner in which both the spacer strips 20 and the magnetic strips 30may be assembled between a pair of transparent panel sheets. Thetransparent panel sheets 16 and 18 may be fed from supply rolls Ida and18a respectively to guide rollers 36 and 38. Spacer strips 20 may be fedfrom supply rolls 20a over guide rollers 40, and then beneath an adhesive applying device 42. From this point the spacer strips 20 aredirected longitudinally over a second adhesive applying device, andultimately between the sheets 16 and 18. During this strip feedingoperation a continuous magnetic strip having a series of configurationsconforming with the magnetic strip 30 is fed from a supply roll 3% overthe guide roll 40, and then beneath the adhesive supplying device 42. Itwill be apparent from FIG. 7 that no adhesive is applied by the device44 to the underside of the strip sections 32. Hence, as the series ofconnected magnetic strips 30 are fed between the panel sheets 16 and 18,only the upper surface of the laterally spaced magnetic strip sections32 will be adhered to the underside of the transparent sheet material16. It will be understood, however, that both sides of the intermediatestrip sections 34 will be adhesively treated and therefore subsequentlyadhered to the panel sheets 16 and 18.

Suitable severing means 46 may be employed to transversely sever theassociated panel members, spacer strips and magnetic strips along thedot-anddash lines 48 indicated in FIG. 8. A magnetic strip 30b ofmodified form is illustrated in FIG. 6. This magnetic strip includes apair of laterally spaced plate sections 32b joined integrally with anintermediate narrow strip section 34b. By having the narrow connectingintermediate section 34b of the magnetic strip 30b positioned along thelower margin thereof, an area is provided between the plate section 32bwhich will accommodate a strip of microfilm slightly shorter than thepreviously mentioned film strips 26. The presence of the connectingnarrow strip section 34b of the magnetic strip 30b will prevent theinsertion of the aforesaid shorter microfilm strip between the magneticplate sections 32b. However, the strip 30b, unlike the strip 30, may bemanually inserted within the panel pocket if desired. The microfilmstrip positioned between the plate sections 32 of the magnetic strip 30is designated by the numeral 50, FIGS. 1 and 4.

The previously described method of assembling the spacer strips 20 andthe magnetic strips 30 and 30b between the rectangular panel sheets 16and 18 contemplates feeding the magnetic material in strip form from asupply roll. In FIGS. 10, 11 and 12, a method is disclosed for feedingindividual thin magnetic plates 30c to the panel sheet material, asdistinguished from the previously mentioned strips 30 and 30b. FIG. is adiagrammatic representation of means for applying the individualmagnetic plate sections 320 from a stack thereof in a housing 52. Arotatable plate carrier member 54 is adapted to grip individual platesections 320 from the lower extremity of a stack thereof by suction. Therotary plate holder 54 incorporates channels 56 and 58 which communicatewith apertures 60 and 62 respectively formed in the periphery of themember 54. Thus, for example, when passage 56 is in the upper positionshown in FIG. 10, suction is applied from a suitable source (not shown)and this causes the lowermost magnetic plate 32c to be drawn into aperipheral recess. As the member 54 rotates in a counterclockwisedirection the withdrawn plate member 32c is moved into contact with asuitable adhesive applying device 64, and as the withdrawn plate 320reaches the lower position, 180 from the above-mentioned-position, airunder pressure is forced into the passage 56, thereby causing the platemember to be discharged from the rotary member 54 and urged intoadhesive contact with the upper surface of a transparent sheet 180,corresponding with the previously mentioned panel sheet 18. The sheet18c is withdrawn from a suitable roll supply over a guide roller 38c.Spacer strips c corresponding with the previously mentioned spacerstrips 20 will have been previously withdrawn from a supply roll and fedbeneath and above adhesive applying mechanisms as previously described.

As shown in FIG. 10, the panel sheet 180 moves horizontally with thespacer strips 200 adhered thereto. As previously indicated, when themagnetic plate section 320 reaches the lowermost position on the roller54, air pressure within the passageway or channel 56 causes the magneticplate to be urged into adhesive attachment to the upper surface of thetransparent sheet 18c. As the magnetic sheet 320 is thus being appliedto the upper surface of the plastic sheet 18c, another plate member iscontemporaneously being removed by suction from the bottom of the stackin the housing 52. Hence as one magnetic plate is being adhesivelyapplied to the panel sheet 18, another plate is being withdrawn from thebottom of the stack into the oppositely disposed peripheral recess inthe rotary member 54. Suitable valve means 66 (FIG. 11) may be employedto timingly control the air suction and air pressure condi tions withinthe passageways 56 and 58.

The panel sheet 18c with the magnetic plate member 320 applied theretois advanced beneath the panel sheet guided by a roller 360. From thispoint the combined panel sheets 16c, 18c, spacer strips 20c, and thespaced magnetic plate members 32c are fed to a severing stationdesignated generally by the numeral 460. At this station severance ismade along the dotand-dash lines 480, indicated in FIG. 12. The diameterof the rotary plate feed member 54 will be determined by the desireddegree of spacing of the magnetic plate sections or members 32c.

In FIG. 3, microfiche masters or holders 14 are shown in associationwith a filing tray designated generally by the numeral 68. This trayincludes a bottom section 70, and oppositely inclined end walls 72 and74. Adjacently traversing the opposite vertical edges of the microfilmholders 14 are horizontally disposed magnets, FIG. 1 and FIG. 3. FIG. 3also discloses handle 4 members 78 and 80, traversing oppositeextremities of the tray 72. The magnets 76 cooperate with the magneticstrip means supported by the transparent panel members to facilitatefarming of the upper margins of the holders as shown in FIG. 3. Bymerely urging a portion of the upper margins of the holders 14 in onedirection and another portion in the opposite direction, the desiredfanning effect is obtained. In other words, the magnetic means or stripsmounted in the second pocket from the top of each holder magneticallyrepel each other and thus cause fanning or lateral separation thereof. I

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the present inventioncontemplates a novel and very practical holder or microfiche masterwhich may be used in association with magnet equipped filing trays. Itwill be equally apparent that the present invention also contemplatesimproved, practical methods whereby magnetic strips, plates and the likemay be assembled with transparent holder panels equipped withconventional spacer strips. Obviously the thickness of the magneticstrip material, such as the magnetic elements 30 and 30c must be such asto permit the telescopic association of microfilm strips within theholder pockets containing these elements. The width of these elementsmay also be dictated by the space required to accommodate the microfilmstrips. As previously indicated, the magnetic strips 30b may be insertedwithin the pocket of a conventional holder or automatically fed intoposition between the transparent panel sheets by practicing theabove-described methods.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. A microfilm strip holder adapted for use in a fanning magnetic filingtray system, said holder comprising two substantially rectangular panelsof relatively thin,

transparent plastic sheet material, elongate spacer strips securedbetween said panels providing a plurality of vertically disposedhorizontally extending elongate pockets presenting open extremities atone end thereof for receiving microfilm strips, and one piece magneticstrip within at least one of said pockets and including a narrow stripsection of a width conforming substantially with the width of saidspacer strips and adhesively secured to both adjacent panels andterminating in plate-like sections each of a width substantially equalto the width of the pocket in which it is enclosed and being locatedadjacent opposite extremities of the enclosing pocket in position forcooperation with a complementary rnagnetequipped filing tray, to effectfanning apart of the upper margins of a group of such holders in acomplementary magnet-equipped tray.

2. A microfilm strip holder adapted for use in a fanning magnetic filingtray system, said holder comprising two substantially rectangular panelsof relatively thin, v transparent plastic sheet material, elongatespacer tions of substantially the width of the enclosing pocket andadhered to one adjacent panel leaving the open extremity thereofaccessible to receive a microfilm strip of a length to be exposedbetweenthe plate-like sec tions which are in position for cooperation with acomplementary magnet equipped filing tray, to effect fanning apart ofthe upper margins of a group of such hold ers in a magnet-equipped tray.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No.3,736,680 Dated June 5 1973 lnventofls) Ernest A. Dahl, Jr.

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent andthat said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

The term of this patent subsequent to Dec. 12, 1989, has beendisclaimed.

Signed and sealed this 1st day of April 1375.

(SEAL) Attest:

C. IIARSI-ZALL DANE RUTH C. I'IASON Commissioner of Patents AttestingOfficer and Trademarks FORM PO-IOSO (10-69) USCOMM-DC 60376-P09 u.s.GOVERNMENT rnumuc orncs: a 93

1. A microfilm strip holder adapted for use in a fanning magnetic filingtray system, said holder comprising two substantially rectangular panelsof relatively thin, transparent plastic sheet material, elongate spacerstrips secured between said panels providing a plurality of verticallydisposed horizontally extending elongate pockets presenting openextremities at one end thereof for receiving microfilm strips, and onepiece magnetic strip within at least one of said pockets and including anarrow strip section of a width conforming substantially with the widthof said spacer strips and adhesively secured to both adjacent panels andterminating in plate-like sections each of a width substantially equalto the width of the pocket in which it is enclosed and being locatedadjacent opposite extreMities of the enclosing pocket in position forcooperation with a complementary magnetequipped filing tray, to effectfanning apart of the upper margins of a group of such holders in acomplementary magnet-equipped tray.
 2. A microfilm strip holder adaptedfor use in a fanning magnetic filing tray system, said holder comprisingtwo substantially rectangular panels of relatively thin, transparentplastic sheet material, elongate spacer strips secured between saidpanels providing a plurality of vertically disposed horizontallyextending elongate pockets presenting open extremities at one endthereof for receiving microfilm strips, and magnetic strip means withinat least one of said pockets and including a narrow strip section ofsubstantially the width of a spacer strip to serve as such in theenclosing pocket and terminating in the lower margins of plate-like endsections of substantially the width of the enclosing pocket and adheredto one adjacent panel leaving the open extremity thereof accessible toreceive a microfilm strip of a length to be exposed between theplate-like sections which are in position for cooperation with acomplementary magnet-equipped filing tray, to effect fanning apart ofthe upper margins of a group of such holders in a magnet-equipped tray.